topic Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets in Visualization

Clipping Mask on Sheets

JDR_SBDC — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:24:44 GMT

Looking for a better solution to creating "clipping masks" than using white fills to trace around the image...

Trying to make a visual landscaping schedule with a variety of different plants, each image cropped in a circle to create a cleaner presentation

In Adobe Illustrator for instance - you could place an image, draw a circle (or any shape for that matter), and then select both to create a clipping mask of the image that fits the circle

ArchiCAD is so close to being able to function as the ONLY software needed for creating complex models and presentations... This added feature would be a game changer

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

Eduardo Rolon — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:25:59 GMT

This can already be done with Views placed in Layouts and with placed drawings by editing their Frame though not as easy as in AI.

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

JDR_SBDC — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:31:52 GMT

Clicking on the frame of an imported image only gives the pet palette options of move, rotate, mirror, and multiply

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

Eduardo Rolon — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 16:57:27 GMT

That shouldn't be. Are you running the latest?

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

JDR_SBDC — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:18:38 GMT

Eduardo,

I appreciate you taking the time. Just to clarify in the images you've posted - you brought the images into a "view" correct? And then ArchiCAD lets you edit the frame around the view...?

I can do that no problem and works as a work around - but lets say I had 100 different images I was trying to do this with... Creating a view for each image just feels like unnecessary cluttering and overpacking data into the project

However if you are saying that you can edit the frame of the imported images itself - then there is something missing in my file - perhaps its in my project preferences or work environment

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

Eduardo Rolon — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 18:45:38 GMT

No problem

For the 100 image case, as long as they have the same clipping shape, you can use "relink" and select the new view, placed drawing, etc and it will inherit the clipping path.

In this case it is a DWG that I placed in a worksheet without exploding. If you use the "place drawing command" you will have the options, if you use "place figure command" you will not have the options.

FYI with "Place Drawing" you can place images also.

Still AI way is faster specially since it "removes" the extra shape.

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

Eduardo Rolon — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 18:57:49 GMT

Magic Wand almost works but you have to draw extra lines so that AC can figure out what to remove.

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

ddonn — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 22:52:26 GMT

Can you please be more specific here. Say I want to mask out unwanted lines in an interior elevation, so could I trace out a custom closed shape with a polyline and use that closed shape to clip everything outside of the shape? It would be like masking in photoshop. In other words, can I mask out what I don't want to see with a complex "closed" polyline?

Re: Clipping Mask on Sheets

Eduardo Rolon — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:53:35 GMT

Answer is yes.

See GIF animation below.